Thursday, July 9, 2026 Every July, a wave of federal benefit payments resets for the new benefit year — and 2026 brings one of the biggest shifts in years. Between a permanent 25% boost to the old GST/HST credit, a fresh Canada Child Benefit increase, and the largest quarterly OAS bump of the year, millions of Canadian households will see different numbers land in their accounts this month. Here's what actually changed, and what to check in your own CRA account. The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — and a Bigger Payout The GST/HST credit has officially been replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) . It's not a new program from scratch — it runs on the same CRA infrastructure and eligibility rules — but the payment amounts are 25% higher, and that increase is locked in for five years. The first CGEB payment went out on July 3, 2026. Under the new structure: A single individual with no children can receive up to roughly $679 per year (about $170 per quart...
Trump Escapes Prison and Fines in Hush-Money Case
In a landmark decision, President-elect Donald Trump has avoided any prison time or fines in the hush-money case that has captivated the nation. On Friday, Judge Juan Merchan handed Trump an unconditional discharge, sparing him from jail time, fines, or probation. This ruling makes Trump the first convicted felon to hold the White House.
Trump was convicted in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign. Despite the potential penalties of up to four years in prison and $5,000 in fines for each count, the judge opted for an alternative sentence, citing the unique circumstances of the case.
During the hearing, Trump maintained his innocence and described the case as a "tremendous setback" for the justice system. The decision has sparked widespread debate, with some praising the judge's discretion and others criticizing the lack of tangible consequences for the president-elect.
Trump's legal team has indicated plans to appeal the jury's verdict, but for now, he remains a convicted felon as he prepares to take office on January 20.
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